How can we hear God, and what He is saying to us?  On May 15th both the SMYG kids and the 6-8th graders gathered to talk about service.   One of the visuals that we used to reinforce our point was the telephone game that uses two cups and a string.  If  the string is not taut the communication will not come through; but as soon as you have a tight string between the two “phones” (cups) anything that is said by one person can be heard by the next.  Our job as Catholics is to keep the line of communication tight between the Lord and ourselves.  The more that we pray, the more that we do good things that we don’t necessarily “want” to do, the more that we look out for others instead of ourselves, the tighter the communication line becomes.  How can we possible know what the Lord is saying to us in our lives if this line of communication is not open?  

Selfless giving, or sacrificial giving of our time, talent and treasure, is another way to tighten the communication line between the Lord and ourselves.  In a world where the natural thing to do is put ourselves first this can be perceived as something that is foreign because it is so completely counter-cultural.  Yet through my 15 years of ministry at St. Mary of the Hills I find that the strongest impact SMYG has on the youth of our parish is through our service projects.  There is a sort of euphoria that is granted when in the service of others.  There is a great joy received when we notice the blessings in our lives.  This summer SMYG will be involved in our 16th annual SAW service project.  During this project the youth of our parish wake up early, work 7-9 hour days for people they often times do not know, and they do so with smiles on their faces.  This is a perfect example of selfless giving, this is a perfect example of the grace that is received when doing His will by serving others. 

SAW is July 7-14, 2013.   This annual summer service project provides manual labor services to those in need.  We routinely find ourselves working throughout the tri-county area for people and neighborhoods that need a little extra help.  If you know of a friend, relative, or neighbor who could use a helping hand please let me know.  If you’d like to offer your time or talent to the project please contact me immediately-we are always in need of good adult help!  Lastly, it would be appreciated if you could remember to keep the success of this project in your prayers.